Insulated panel connection

Abstract

A cam lock for side-by-side tongue-and-groove interlocking panels can be arranged to work easily and effectively by using a keyed cam lock that provides proper orientation and a stop when the lock is engaged. A cam lock for side-by-side tongue-and-groove interlocking panels can be arranged to be inserted on the tongue side and act against a mid-portion of the opposed panel. An insert bracket can cover with one end at least a part of an end of a panel at a corner connection between panels and with the other end it can fit into a slot in the panel to immobilize the panel in two directions, while a fastener-receiving portion of the bracket can have a V-shaped portion whose side walls can guide the fastener to pass through the bracket at a bottom of the V-shaped portion. This concept applies for wall to wall connection, wall to ceiling connection and wall to floor connection.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A cam lock for locking insulated panels in place, comprising:
 a. a cylindrical body having a key formed from at least one of a protrusion and an indentation that gives the cam lock a distinct shape that is complementary to the shape of a hole in which the cam lock can be inserted, ensuring that the cam lock can only be inserted in the hole and subsequently twisted in the correct orientation up to a rotation limit;   b. an upper section of the cylindrical body formed by a flange parallel to the insulated panels that extends away from the cylindrical body and an aperture in which a tool can be inserted that allows for the twisting of the cam lock;   c. a recess of gradual indentation that aligns with the metal sheet of the insulated panel and, via the gradual indentation, permits the rotation of the cam lock in only the intended direction and up to a rotation limit, whether that be clockwise or counter-clockwise;   d. a section forming a protrusion that, when the cam lock is twisted into place, crushes into the insulated foam of the insulated panels to obtain a further frictional hold on the final position of the cam lock; and   e. a section forming a protrusion that, as the cam lock is twisted into place, pushes on the metal part of an insulated panel to bring that insulated panel in close connection with another insulated panel.   
     
     
         24 . The cam lock of  claim 23 , further comprising one or two additional recesses that align with tongue and groove connection mechanisms within the insulated panes, preventing the cam lock from being pulled out of the hole by engaging the metal skins of the insulated panels. 
     
     
         25 . A method for forming a connection between insulated panels involving a keyed cam lock, the method comprising:
 a. obtaining insulated panels with tongue and groove interlocking features;   b. creating a keyed hole in the insulated panels above the interlocking features that is complimentary to the keyed structure of a keyed cam lock, if the insulated panels do not already contain a keyed hole;   c. pushing the insulated panels together, side by side, to cause the tongue and groove features to interconnect;   d. inserting the keyed cam lock into the complimentary keyed hole which will ensure the cam lock is inserted in the correct orientation; and   e. twisting the cam lock, using a tool, in an indicated direction, up to a rotation limit, forcing the cam lock to lock the tongue and groove features in place, immobilizing and aligning the insulated panels.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the keyed cam lock has one groove to control the orientation of the twisting and determine the rotation limit, a second and third groove to control the position and anchor the cam lock within the insulated panels, an extruded part to push the insulated panels together, an extruded part to push into the insulated foam of the insulated panel causing friction that further immobilizes the cam lock in its locked position, and an aperture to allow a tool to twist the cam lock. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein creating a keyed hole that is complimentary to a keyed structure of the cam lock is done via specialized machinery provided by the manufacturer of the inserts or insulated panels. 
     
     
         28 . A method for forming a connection between insulated panels involving a cam lock, the method comprising:
 a. obtaining insulated panels with tongue and groove interlocking features having interlocking tongue and grooves on both lateral sides separated by a mid-portion at each ends of the insulated panels providing an abutment surface with, on at least one of said lateral sides, said tongue extending said lateral side of said insulated panel away from said mid-portion to provide space for a cam hole spaced from said mid-portion;   b. creating said cam hole in said tongue and a corresponding aperture in said mid-portion of a corresponding groove;   c. pushing the insulated panels together, side by side, to cause the tongue and groove features to interconnect and said mid-portions of said insulated panels to abut;   d. inserting the cam lock into said cam hole with an engagement surface of the cam lock inserted into said aperture; and   e. twisting the cam lock forcing the cam lock to lock the tongue and groove features in place, immobilizing and aligning the insulated panels.